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Design Autopsy #7: Hideous and Perfect CD Spreads
By Destroyx | December 29, 2009
This is the last Hideous and Perfect related Design Autopsy, where I will be showcasing the artwork hidden within the CD booklet spreads.
The most important aspect of the CD artwork was the amazing photography by the uber talented Helen White. We have worked with Helen for our CD artwork since our first album Krankhaus, and she has always come up with the most fantastic ideas and somehow makes our crazy concepts and visions come true. She has the mind blowing ability to make any idea work in camera and often risks her own personal safety to get the perfect shot. We are very fortunate to be able to work with a photographer of her calibre.
The photographs turned out so bold, super saturated and hyperreal that I didn’t want to obstruct them with any overbearing design work. I complemented the arresting photography with strong typography and simply did some photo retouching to ‘kaleidoscope’ some of the images together to enhance their surreal nature.
I decided to do three different CD artworks for the three different labels that would be releasing the album in the USA, Europe/Australia and Japan. Once I get on a roll with designing, it’s hard for me to stop sometimes, so it was a great opportunity for me to be able to design about 23 different artwork spreads for the three releases. It gave me a thrill to have the chance to showcase all of these photographs in print and I am very satisfied with the end result.
Booklet Spreads for Australia & European Versions
Australian and European version is released through our own label Black Pill Red Pill and is distributed in Australia through MGM (so you should be able to get it at your regular CD shops like JB HiFi). It is available online through our Australian based merch store Surgeon-x.com. This version comes with a deluxe fold out poster and custom made triple gatefold wallet, which is detailed Design Autopsy #5.
Cover and Booklet Spreads for Japanese Version
Exclusive cover for Japanese version
Japanese version is proudly released through Darkest Labyrinth and is available here.
Booklet Spreads for North American Version
North American version is released through Metropolis Records USA. Purchase it from Black Pill Red Pill USA and Metropolis Records, or through your local alternative music store or regular channels such as Amazon, Itunes etc.
Topics: Angelspit, Black Pill Red Pill, Design, Design Autopsy |
December 29th, 2009 at 2:06 am
WOW O_O
Absolutely invigorating. Stunning. Brilliant.
I’m loving the balance between the typography and the conceptual photography.
What typeface did you use? It’s awesome
Both you guys look brilliant in this btw haha ;D
December 29th, 2009 at 2:40 am
To anyone that has seen the inside covers for the first time- chances are http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLsJyfN0ICU
December 29th, 2009 at 3:17 am
Just got this album for Christmas, and gotta say I loooove the artwork. Again, an awesome job. :)
December 29th, 2009 at 3:57 am
What i find interesting is how the little pill-cross pattern is used extensivly through the japanese and US versions, yet doesn’t appear at all on the Australian/EU version.
Love all the artwork, wish i could have it all, hehe. I’d buy a photobook of Angelspit if it were available *hint hint*
December 29th, 2009 at 6:04 am
Hey, can I ask what fonts are being used here?
December 29th, 2009 at 6:45 am
Destroyx, this has to be some of Angelspit’s best artwork! Will there ever be prints available? Id love the “Alice in vulgar land” image or the album cover image on my walls ;D
December 29th, 2009 at 10:31 am
I own the US release, and I was so amazed by the artwork. Brilliant typography, as usual :D
I’m really tempted to buy the Japanese version, I love the cover! You get to see a clearer shot of the facial makeup.
Prints would be amazing (haha, a photobook would be sweet too) ^_^
My favorite design wold have to be the lips that look like they’re on a tv. It’s insanity!
December 29th, 2009 at 11:51 am
atropasleeps- I used Avant Garde for the typeface
Nikk. F.- Hahaha…
Tae Dark - Oh yay! thanks for buying the CD
Smudge- Yeah I know I didn’t use the pill much on the EU/AU version, maybe it’s because that was the last booklet I designed. The EU/AU version has a giant pill on the CD face instead. Good observation!
jack- Avant Garde in various weights…
Videokid- thanks sweet heart! Umm… we might be offering prints soon. Though, they will be kind of more expensive than regular prints because they will not be printed in quantity and will be ‘art prints’ instead.
Charvelle- Thanks! Yeah… you know I don’t even own a copy of the Japanese version yet, so I gotta get one for myself too =)
You know… the lips are actually are on the TVs. We made a video of the lips and then put them on the TVs. That was a lot of work.
December 29th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
i think it’s interesting what you said about the design work, because one of the distinct qualities on the krankhaus and blood death ivory artwork was all of the chaotic patterns and multimedia layering. the new artwork is very simple and bold, but it still has that angelspit feel to it. i think the layers come from the environments you guys are in, and the objects you’re interacting with. is that the replica panton heart chair you’re sitting in, in the australian spread?
December 30th, 2009 at 10:30 am
I love the Japanese and American Versions :)
I have the EU version, but hell, I want them all, now!
They’re all so beautiful…
I’d be interested in prints, too :)
xx
December 30th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
GREAT WORK!! The colours ROCK!! I got the Australia & European Versions but live in the US. Think its because I pre-ordered the cd? Either way I like it, the cover for the Japanese one is really cool! Well I like them all. Keep up the great work!!
January 1st, 2010 at 1:33 pm
wow, they’re all stunning! i will definitely buy the album when i have money again. i love buying cd’s when the artists have put a lot of effort into their artwork (: & i’ve been dying to hear it.